Elisaveta Blumina is recognized as one of the most important interpreters of modern repertoire, and her career has taken her all over the world. Valentin Silvestrov christened this CD "70 minutes of happiness set against 1000 years of misery," and dedicated two Waltzes in Blumina's honor.

Expedition Audio RecommendedPeaceful and reflective, these miniature mood pieces are characterized by airy textures and shimmering harmonies of subtlety shifting colors. His melodies have a folksong quality to them, and a childlike simplicity... The composer is reputedly generous and meticulous with expressive markings, giving his performer many of the shaded touches and subtleties he desires. With the extraordinary care that has gone into crafting this music, you can sense that he loves his creations.... read more ...

American Record Guide, September/October 2013Well, goodness; it's almost as if the 20th Century never happened! Valentin Silvestrov (b. 1937) wrote most of these pieces between 1996 and 2011; Naive Music was written in 1954-55 and revised in 1993, and Kitschmusik is from 1977. The music is, across the board, tonal and placid, a lot like Chopin's calmer nocturnes or a sedated Schumann. It's very soothing. Harmonic progressions are pleasant. Naive Music is openly declared to be from Silvestrov's dilettante younger days; the composer himself said this album is "70 minutes of happiness set against 1000 years of misery". Blumina plays well and avoids syrupy interpretations. Notes in English and German.